PITCHING YOUR STORY
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TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PITCHING YOUR STORY TO STUDIOS by William Goldman
How to Pitch Your Script
1. NEVER FORGET WHOM YOU ARE TALKING TO. They really don't want to listen to you but know that maybe, just maybe, you can help out their career.
2. BE BRIEF, IN AND OUT IN FIVE MINUTES. Unless they ask you to stay.
3. YOU ARE NOT TELLING THE STORY, YOU ARE THROWING OUT A HOOK. Keep it simple. Not a lot of detail. One or two lines.
4. GRAB THEM. You want them to think.
5. PEOPLE ARE BUSY. Remember that.
6. DO NOT PITCH MORE THAN ONE IDEA PER MEETING
7. IF YOU CAN, LEAVE AN OUTLINE. A couple of pages where you start with what you hit them with, and thicken a bit.
8. NEVER READ A PITCH. Executives love eye contact.
9. NEVER FORGET THAT EVEN IF THEY BUY YOUR PITCH, MOST STUDIOS ARE PLANNING ON FIRING YOU AS SOON AS YOU HAND THEM YOUR FIRST DRAFT.
THE MAP OF PITCHING YOUR STORY
Here is an effective way to PITCH YOUR STORY, but remember, there are no rules, and you might have your own way. This is just a suggestion that has worked.
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-Who you are and what you've done that's revelant, that will generate interest.
-Be specific and brief. Just give a strong impression of what is great about you, and move on.
ESTABLISH RAPPORT
-Before you meet them, RESEARCH the person you're talking to. Then, based on your research, you can:
-Make a positive comment about their work and/or ask them a question regarding their experiences and current position
-Talk about why your PITCH and your project is right for their project.
INTRODUCE THE PROJECT
-Talk about your connection to the material and your passion for it
-Start your pitch by asking them a question: Ex. What would you do if you could fly? If you had to choose between saving your wife or daughter, what would you do?
-THEN GO TO YOUR PLANNED LOGLINE (See LOGINE notes)
SYNOPSIS OF THE STORY
-A vivid one- or two-minute telling of your story, sticking to the catalyst, major plot points and climax
-DON'T GET LOST IN THE DETAILS
-Convey both the INTERNAL and EXTERNAL story
-JUST CREATE an emotional reponse in the listener
REQUEST
-Tell them what you're looking for from them, AND THEN ask them what they are looking for
SUMMARY
-Rehearse your pitch
-Do not read your pitch from the page.
-It's a conversation. A sell, sell approach will not work.
-Don't get lost in detail.
-Make sure you include the ENDING.
-Walk in with respect for yourself and your material.
